This way led into the depths of the park, far from the bridle and walking paths. No one would see them here and grin knowingly the way Theo had done.
No one will see us here.She looked over at Stratton, thinking she should object. Only she did not want to. She hoped he was up to no good. A tightness in her breathing said as much. A disgraceful anticipation claimed her. She might be standing on a precipice, preparing to jump, hoping she would fly and not fall.
He dismounted on an isolated patch of grass and tied his horse. He plucked her down from Duke and tied him as well. Together they sat on the grass.
“I would appreciate it if you did not tell anyone you tried to give me Duke as a gift,” she said. “It could be misunderstood as other than a gesture of friendship.”
“Probably so, since I am not in the habit of giving mere friends horses. I am also unlikely to kiss them senseless, or caress their bodies, or—”
“You know what I mean. I also think we could just all decide that whatever caused the break between our families is over and done and no longer important. So much anger when no one even knows what happened is ridiculous.”
“I know what happened.”
She turned in surprise. “You do? Lady Hollsworth said it was probably honor, a woman, or land.”
“It was land. My father explained it all to me. Your father probably did the same with Theo, although I doubt he and I heard the same stories.”
She waited. He watched the horizon, his fine profile tempting her to reach out and trace its line. Maybe she would let him remain silent and just spend the next half hour looking at him.
Only she was curious. If this man was in her life now, she wanted to know why he had not been before.
“Are you going to tell me?”
He seemed to think about that. “It started with our grandfathers. There was a tract of land in the county that they disputed. An inheritance on your grandfather’s part, but my grandfather had an earlier claim.”
“Or said he did.”
She received a sharp look for that.
“I am just reminding us both that there are two sides here. Two stories. Please, go on.”
“It went into the courts, and as such things happen, nothing was resolved during their lifetimes. The lawyers got fat, the rents went into escrow, and nothing progressed.”
“Is it still like that?”
He shook his head. “Your father found a solution. While my father was in France, courting and marrying my mother, your father went to the courts again. He revived the dormant case and pressed for a judgment. Our solicitor was caught off guard by the fast movement. It was all done within one week. Needless to say, your father received the benefit of that judgment.”
“I do not care for how you said all of this. Not for your choice of words, nor your tone. You have implied that my father was dishonorable.”
“More that he was very shrewd.”
“I am sure it was a coincidence that the courts addressed this right then.”
“Clara, there are no coincidences in Chancery. The timing and the speed spoke of someone with strong influence pushing this forward.”
“I still think that—oh!”
He pulled her toward him and into an embrace. “Hush,” he murmured before kissing her.
She allowed those kisses to vanquish her indignation. They removed any thoughts of old family wars from her mind. She could be very happy, she thought, being kissed for hours in the sweet breeze.
That was not to be, however. He checked his building passion. For a long, quiet spell they sat there, entwined, not speaking. She ached, and wondered if he did too.
“Is it your intention to always live alone?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
